End of Life Transitions

I have come full circle since apprenticing at a London hospice and directing the Hospice of Petaluma many years ago. The same instincts that called me into this field of service have re-emerged recently, with a different emphasis. Now, as an elder beginning to personally ponder end-of-life issues, I am offering a new way to support our more senior elders approaching their final transition.

After years of practicing the art and science of flower essences for emotional balance, I feel inspired to help elders who face a tumultuous landscape of growing losses and changes often in their last 6-12 months of life. Since the middle ages, flower essences have been uplifting the spirit by addressing and balancing the human emotional experience. Dr. Bach originally developed these essences in the 1930s. Today the essences continue to promote optimal emotional, spiritual, and physical health.

Patricia Kaminski, a prominent Flower Essence teacher, author, eloquently expressed the value of using flower essences at this time of life:

The threshold of death provides an opportunity for flower essences to have a profound impact. There can be increased receptivity to the influence of flower essences as one prepares for death, reviewing one's life, resolving and releasing negative emotions, and transforming anxieties, fears, grief, and regret. At this time, one can also find increased opportunities to express love and gratitude, and to meet death with greater equanimity.

I believe our elders deserve this kind of care, especially in our western society where we witness and experience increasing isolation, loneliness, and loss of dignity and respect.

I'd like to share this recent testimonial from a daughter whose elder mother has been using flower essences:

"I highly recommend Shirley Gillotti RN as a Bach Flower Practitioner. I have seen first-hand a marked change in my 95-year-old mother’s mood. Shirley attends to my mother with a focused compassionate attention; she listens deeply with true curiosity and respect. After a few days of taking the flower essences, I witnessed my mother relax into what I would describe as acceptance—an easing of a dark mood. She continues to benefit greatly from taking the essences." ~Jane Kingston

Might someone you know benefit from these Bach flower essences? Share this with people in your life who you expect might benefit from a consultation with me about the best essences for them- by clicking on the postcard images above and below to download or using the social buttons below. Also, let me know if you would like me to send you a hard copy to post or share.

With gratitude,

Shirley